BFG EX-1200 (1200W) Modular PSU

Simulated Load Testing

To provide our readers with the most accurate results, Overclock3D uses a professional grade SunMoon SM-268+ ATE load tester capable of placing a sustained load of 1690w across a total of six rails (including +5vsb and -12v) on the PSU. Unlike our previous resistor-based load tester, the SM-268+ gives us the ability to adjust amperage loads in increments as small as 0.01A while also measuring voltages and wattage readings on-screen.

During today's tests, we will be placing the BFG EX Series 1200w under 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% load levels at both room temperature and inside a hot box regulated to a temperature of around 50°C. Additional cross load tests will also be performed under these conditions to simulate how the PSU would perform with a heavily uneven distribution of load. It should also be noted that the all +12v rails on the BFG EX will be combined during the testing, allowing us to make best use of the load testers configuration.

BFG EX Series 1200w Results @ Room Temp

+3.3v

+5.0v

+12v

+5vSB

-12v

AC Watts / DC Watts

Efficiency

Intake / Exhaust

Δ Temp

Test 1 (Low)

5.50A

5.00A

18.50A

0.75A

0.12A

326w / 271w

83.12%

24.9°C / 30.3°C

5.4°C

3.29v

4.94v

12.08v

4.93v

-11.46

Test 2 (Med)

11.00A

10.00A

37.00A

1.5A

0.25A

630w / 538w

85.39%

26.0°C / 44.5°C

18.5°C

3.24v

4.89v

12.00v

4.89v

-11.64v

Test 3 (High)

16.50A

15.00A

55.50A

2.25A

0.37A

941w / 808w

85.86%

27.1C / 56.5°C

29.4°C

3.21v

4.85v

11.94v

4.84v

-11.91v

Test 4 (Full)

22.00A

20.00A

74.00A

3.00A

0.50A

1279w / 1065w

83.26%

27.2°C / 66.7°C

39.5°C

3.17v

4.82v

11.86v

4.79v

-11.90v

Test 5 (x-load)

22.00A

20.00A

1.00A

0.00A

0.00A

264w / 193w

73.10%

21.1°C / 45.5°C

17.4°C

3.24v

4.87v

12.06v

4.93v

-12.04

Test 6 (x-load)

1.00A

1.00A

74.00A

0.00A

0.00A

1012w / 890w

87.94%

28.0°C / 52.4°C

24.4°C

3.24v

4.91v

11.92v

4.90v

-12.09v

Starting first with the efficiency results, the EX-1200 certain surpasses the 80% efficiency quoted on the packaging with 83% straight off the bat in test 1 increasing to 85% in tests 2 and 3. Things go quite a bit down hill as the +3.3v/+5v crossload is applied in test 5 with the unit dipping down to a rather nasty 73% efficiency. However, as soon as the crossload is weighted towards the +12v rails in test 6 the EX-1200 more than redeems its self with close to 88% efficiency!

Voltage stability throughout the testing was reasonable, with each of the rails starting quite close to their 'ideals' in test 1 and maintaining good stability all the way up to test 3. Only once the unit is placed under a 1065W load in test 4 does it start to show signs of strain with the +3.3v rail dropping down to a lowly 3.17v but both the +5v and +12v rails remain well within spec producing voltages of 4.85v and 11.86v respectively. Additionally, the grueling crossloads of tests 5 and 6 didn't phase the EX-1200 in the slightest, with decent voltages throughout.

BFG EX Series 1200w Results @ 50c

+3.3v

+5.0v

+12v

+5vSB

-12v

AC Watts / DC Watts

Efficiency

Intake / Exhaust

Δ Temp

Test 1 (Low)

5.50A

5.00A

18.50A

0.75A

0.12A

329w / 271w

82.37%

50.7°C / 53.7°C

3.0°C

3.27v

4.93v

12.06v

4.93v

-11.51

Test 2 (Med)

11.00A

10.00A

37.00A

1.5A

0.25A

634w / 538w

84.85%

50.6°C / 64.3°C

13.7°C

3.23v

4.89v

12.00v

4.88v

-11.73v

Test 3 (High)

16.50A

15.00A

55.50A

2.25A

0.37A

952w / 799w

83.92%

50.6C /71°C

20.4°C

3.20v

4.85v

11.92v

4.84v

-11.93v

Test 4 (Full)

22.00A

20.00A

74.00A

3.00A

0.50A

1283w / 1065w

83.00%

50.9°C /78°C

27.1°C

3.16v

4.80v

11.84v

4.79v

-11.98v

Test 5 (x-load)

22.00A

20.00A

1.00A

0.00A

0.00A

263w / 192w

73.00%

50.4°C / 67.6°C

17.2°C

3.23v

4.87v

12.04v

4.93v

-12.07

Test 6 (x-load)

1.00A

1.00A

74.00A

0.00A

0.00A

1014w / 889w

87.67%

50.4°C /72°C

21.6°C

3.23v

4.91v

11.88v

4.90v

-12.12v

With the temperature cranked up to 50°C and a re-run of all the previous tests, the EX-1200 showed no additional signs of strain, producing voltage and efficiency results almost exactly the same as those at room temperature. However, as highlighted by the red text in the temperature results, the EX-1200 got EXTREMELY hot in in tests 3,4 and 6 with the exhaust temperature coming close to 80°C at one point. Granted the ambient temperature was around 50°C, but this is still far higher than any other PSU we've ever tested in the past and is borderline capable of melting nearby objects!

BFG EX Series 1200w Scope Results @ 50c

+3.3v

+5.0v

+12v

Test 1 (Low)

Test 2 (Med)

Test 3 (High)

Test 4 (Full) *

Test 5 (x-load)

Test 6 (x-load)

* During Test4 the scope configuration was changed from 20mV to 50mV to accomodate the EX-1200's large waveforms.

Finishing up with the scope readings taken during the 50°C tests, both the +3.3v and +5v rails remained well within acceptable limits, only hitting 28mV and 30mV respectably during test 4. The +12v rails on the other hand were a completely different matter! Bearing in mind that these results are a combination of all four rails attached via both modular and hard-wired connectors, the result of 92mV during test 4 is quite worrying to say the least. Granted ATX spec requires the +12v rails to stay below 120mV in order to stay within specification, but this is still by far the worst result of any PSU tested on OC3D thus far.

Now let's move on to the conclusion where I attempt to sum up the previous few pages.

All i would be bothered about is the performance, which from the review it comes out admirably.

Its rare ive seen cases with the power supply on view when windows are fitted.

It could look like Amy winehouse for i care.. long as it performs. ( Hmm perhaps a bad comparison there but im sure you get my drift )

Know what you mean about the paint, My Antec 1000w Quattro is sprayed and just looking at it, it threatens to scratch the paintwork. Would only possibly affect the resale value in the long run though.Quote

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